25 top ways to spend the weekend in Dubai

From St Paddy’s Day fun to chilled out pool days, Dubai has it all

By
Time Out Dubai staff
14 March 2018

It’s almost the weekend and this time it’s a big one. We’ve got St. Paddy’s Day, the Six Nations and some top R&B stars performing in Dubai, not to mention the usual brunches, parties and frivolities that make our beloved city what it is. So take a browse of what’s on offer and make sure you cram in as much as you can. Enjoy!

St. Patrick’s Day at The Irish VillageAh, St. Patrick’s Day, where everyone wants to delve into some Irish banter and culture. The city has been taken over by events – see www.timeoutdubai.com for a full run-down – and none more Irish than at Dubai’s Irish Village. Time Out Dubai’s Pub of the Year 2017 is hosting a three-day weekend festival that’s guaranteed to get you into the Irish spirit. Expect traditional music and performances from The MapleJacks and DJ Marky Mark, as well as some top Irish craic. Sláinte!Free. Thu-Fri 11am-2am; Sat 11am-1am. Mar 15-17. Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Garhoud (04 282 4750).

A night of Arabian cuisine at 3in1Fancy a shawarma? Vida Downtown’s 3in1 has a new night, Chase Marrakech, where you can dig into dishes such as shawarma quesadillas, along with mezze, all accompanied by some live music and washed down with a karak chai. From Dhs45. Thu 7pm-11.30pm. Ongoing. Vida Downtown, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard (04 888 3444).

NAS Night raceThe Nad Al Sheba Night Challenge kicks off tonight (Thursday) and if you’re part of the winning team, you can win a share of Dhs56,000. The sporting challenge involves 12 gruelling obstacles over a 5km course, and if your team of four make it to the finish line the fastest, you’ll be lining your pockets as well as shrouding yourself in glory.Dhs250. Thu Mar 15 & Fri Mar 16, from 8pm. Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, www.dubaisc.ae.

French cinemaBrush up on your French with the latest and very best of French Cinema at the Ciné Club. This weekend is showing Le Brio, a comedy about a student and her loose-cannon professor. The film will be shown in French with English subtitles (for those of us who are a little less than fluent).Dhs35 (members), Dhs40 (non-members). Thu Mar 15, 11am; Sat Mar 17, 5pm; Tue Mar 20, 8pm. Auditorium, Alliance Francais Oud Metha, www.afdubai.org.

Dine with a multi-million dollar balloon dogDine in the presence of a massive balloon dog at La Petite Maison. From tonight until Saturday March 24, the restaurant will become home to a collection of innovative sculptures and paintings from contemporary art masters Jeff Koons and Eduardo Guelfenbein, including a balloon swan, rabbit, and a monkey, not forgetting the massive dog that sold for $58.4 million at auction.Thu Mar 15 – Sat Mar 24. La Petite Maison, DIFC (04 439 0505).

Dara Ó Briain arrivesWho better to celebrate St. Paddy’s weekend with than the funniest man in Ireland? As part of his Voice of Reason tour, join the Mock the Week star for one night only, as he busts your gut with laughter. Not literally. Dhs295 (regular), Dhs495 (premium). Thu Mar 15, 9pm. Dubai World Trade Centre(04 439 0900).

Lunch at BazxarDig into a two- or three-course lunch at this trendy DIFC eatery for just Dhs65 and Dhs90 respectively. Between noon and 3pm, Sunday to Thursday, you can enjoy lunchtime dishes including flank steak, vegetable quiche or tofu udon noodles. Plus, you’ll get a complimentary bowl of soup and coffee to go.Dhs65 (two courses), Dhs90 (three courses) Sun-Thu noon-3pm. Ongoing. Gate Precinct Building 4, DIFC (04 355 1111).

Tinie Tempah in DubaiThe rap star, who’s had a string of massive chart hits over the past decade, including Pass Out, Written In The Stars, Girls Like, Wonderman and more, is here tomorrow (Friday March 16) at WHITE Dubai – the Time Out Dubai Club of the Year. Tinie will be here to headline Disturbing Dubai, a night he launched through his own management label, publishing company and fashion brand, Disturbing London. He was here at the start of February, and he’s back again for another huge night.Free. Fri Mar 16, 11pm-4am. Meydan Racecourse Grandstand, Nad Al Sheba (050 443 0933).

Soho Beach Pool DaysThis Friday (March 16), Soho Beach is throwing open its doors for a full day of poolside lounging with no entry fee. And what’s more, the first 50 ladies to arrive will be given free unlimited pink grape. Resident DJ Jean B will be on hand to provide the tunes, and every week you can expect some surprise guests, the first of whom will be British DJ and house music producer Hot Since 82.Free (entry), from Dhs2,500 (private cabanas). Open Fri-Sat noon-7pm. Ongoing. Soho Beach, Meydan Racecourse Grandstand, Nad Al Sheba (052 433 3375).

Touch 6’s tournament dayFor a day brimming with family fun and thrilling touch rugby matches, the seventh Corporate Zurich Touch 6’s tournament is the event you’re looking for. With 32 teams competing teams, matches will be held throughout the day, leading up to the finals and award ceremony. While you’re cheering on your favourite teams, there will also be a number of attractions, including a free kids’ touch tournament, live music, an array of food trucks, bouncy castles, a nail bar, petting zoo and plenty of free demonstrations. Free. Fri Mar 16, 9am-6pm. Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club, Arabian Ranches, www.zurichcorporatetouch6s.com.

St Paddy’s weekend at Fibber Magee’sNow this is one heck of an Irish pub, and if you’re yet to visit Fibbers you’re missing out. It’s proper Irish, but it’s also in Dubai so doesn’t do things by half – hence the arrival of the St. Patrick’s “Weekend” trend (more to come on those). From Thursday March 15 until Saturday 17 you can get special promotions on Irish bevvies for the whole weekend, plus live music every night.Free. Mar 15-17, 11am-2.30am. Saeed Tower One, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 332 2400).

The big boat brunchA fun and different way to experience Mediterranean-style cuisine and partying is back, and it’s setting sail with Desert Rose today only. Mercury Lounge at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach is serving up Spanish dishes, at sea. Sip on some bubbly in the Jacuzzi and brunch to the tune of a live Trio Band. Ahoy there. Dhs750. Fri Mar 16, 12.30pm-5.30pm. Dubai Marina (04 270 7777).

Paddy’s Day fun A cool atmosphere, unmissable Dubai Creek views, and a celebration of St. Patrick’s day with a traditional Irish breakfast and free pints for people who come in green? We’ll see you there. Free entry. Sat Mar 17, 11am-2am. QD’s Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Deira (04 295 6000).

Xyoga Dubai With more than 10,000 yogis preparing for the biggest yoga event in Dubai, the sun-soaked sands of Kite Beach will be filled with stretches and laughter. Free. Fri Mar 16 -Sat 17, 8am-9am. Kite Beach, Umm Suqeim, www.xyogadubai.com.

SIKKA Art FairFrom live music and open-air film screenings to poetry readings, dance, improv, exhibitions, and large-scale artworks, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood is transformed into a hub of artistic and cultural events from emerging Emirati and UAE-based creatives for Art Week.Feeling like the edgy sister of Art Dubai, SIKKA is smaller in scale, but daringly creative. Far from a stand-and-observe type of art event, the fair gathers together a collection of risk-taking artists for a week-long schedule of events that you can really engage and interact with. It all happens around a central courtyard where you can chill out on beanbags and watch local live music.Free. March 17-26. Al Fahidi Historical District, Bur Dubai, www.artweek.ae.

Bridgewater Tavern and Café ArtoisThese two funky bars in JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, Business Bay, are celebrating the greenest day of the year together. The Six Nations game is being shown live from 6.45pm, and you can head over any time from noon until 2am to get an all-day Irish brekkie and a pint of Irish hops for Dhs105. There’s also a happy hour from 4pm until 7pm and a #LoveYourTache promotion where you can buy one get one free on the black stuff from 7pm until 8pm.Free entry. Sat Mar 17, noon-2am. JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, Business Bay (04 414 3000).

Irish fun at Reform Social & GrillIf you’re on for the rugby above all else this St. Patrick’s, then one of the city’s top pubs has to be on your list. Reform is running a celebratory Saturday brunch with its outdoors area being transformed to celebrate everything about the Emerald Isle. Get discounts on Irish hops, plus an unlimited live barbecue, all the action from the Six Nations and a three-hour brunch.Dhs250 (soft drinks), Dhs299 (house beverages). Sat Mar 17, 6.30pm-9.30pm. The Lakes (04 454 2638).

Pie and a pint at NeighbourhoodThis laid-back spot at Courtyard by Marriott Dubai at Green Community is serving up a special week-long offer of a traditional pie and an Irish pint for Dhs75. The offer is valid every day until Sunday 18. Well worth a trip to one of the city’s more far-flung suburban hangouts.Dhs75. Until Mar 18, noon-midnight. Courtyard by Marriott Dubai Green Community, Jebel Ali (04 885 2222).

Six Nations at BarastiDubai’s iconic beach club has been going big on the Six Nations this year, and there happens to be a pretty massive match taking place on the day itself (that’s Saturday March 17, in case you needed reminding). Catch the big game on Barasti’s enormous screens, with special promotions and competitions on offer in partnership with Ireland’s famous black drink.Free. Sat Mar 17, 11am-1am. Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street (04 318 1313).

Tory Lanez at Drai’sThe rapper’s postponed Dubai gig at Drai’s has been confirmed – and it’s happening this weekend. Lanez was due to open Meydan’s new day-to-night pool club at the start of February, but had to postpone and was replaced by UK garage and R&B star Craig David. Now, Lanez is back and will headline the fun-loving party hotspot on Friday March 16. If you happen to miss Lanez on Friday, then head along to WHITE Dubai just over the other side of Meydan, where he'll be playing on Saturday night.Free. Fri Mar 16, noon-midnight. Meydan Racecourse, Nad Al Sheba (052 388 885).

Spike Bar do St Patrick’s DayThis bar, recently relocated, rennovated and reopened at Emirates Golf Club, is a real swanky spot, and it’s teeing up a pretty special meal for St. Patrick’s Day. So whether you’ve just sunk your final ball of the day on the 18th, or if you get dizzy at the thought of picking up a nine iron, you should head here. Get some Irish potato soup, black pudding, and mashed potato, a steak and Irish-black-stuff pie and a sticky toffee pudding for Dhs75, with an Irish hops beverage also available for Dhs35. Marvellous value, we reckon. (And probably the “green”est St. Patrick’s Day celebration in town… Sorry.)Dhs75. Mar 17, noon-1.30am. Emirates Golf Club, Emirates Living (04 417 9999).